childrens ponies and bits....

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My 9 yr old son has been riding 5 mnths and is lucky enough to have his own pony.

The pony is very good natured but can be quite sensitive, and has a habit of snatching the reins out of my sons hand, especially when jumping.

I am hoping as he becomes more independant in his seat, and uses his hands less to balance, this will improve, but any tips to help in the meantime?

The pony is ridden in a loose ring snaffle and has had recent back and teeth checks.
 
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Neckstrap, and also a flash between the 2 d-rings on his saddle so he has lots to grab hold of rather than the pony's mouth :)
 
Thanks for that - it doesn't help that he has a saddle without D rings (has changeable knee rolls so no space for D's), but do use a neck rein.
 
Maybe a loose set of grass reins? Not ideal for jumping, but maybe necessary. Snatching the reins down is a very common thing for childrens ponies. Is the pony ONLY doing it when your son catches him in the mouth, or does he do it anytime?

I'd also 2nd a neckstrap and MAKE your son hold onto it while going over the fence so he isn't balancing on the pony's mouth.
 
I appreciate what you are saying Pearlsinger, but when he goes to PC they always pop a few at the end, however novice.

He doesn't use his hands to balance all the time, but the pony can be quite whizzy when jumping and although we are working on a quiet trot in, sometimes it likes to snatch the reins and take over!!
 
Thanks Galaxy .

When the pony is working quietly they work together well - my son keeps his balance nicely and the pony does not snatch. It only happens when we do faster work, such as jumping - the pony tries to take contol of the speed (prefers to jump in canter), so when my son tries to keep him in trot he resists by putting his head down and starts snatching.

We have been working on poles in his lessons, and without stirrups.

Sadly no D's on the saddle so can't use grass reins.
 
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Sidney said:
Thanks again Galaxy - that's a fab idea and will give it a go!
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baling twine is the answer for everything ;)

showpony said:
Really woulnt recommend grass reins when jumping at all.
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no neither would I. But I expect that at this age and level "jumping" is only a slightly rasied pole so pony is not going to be reaching and stretching much, so if fitted carefully will not catch the pony in the mouth. It can be done.
 
I'd stick a neckstrap on. But ideally I'd have him on the lr, or at least not using the reins till he has an independent seat. Instead doing stuff like hands on head, hands on hips, knees etc & no stirrups till he has an independent seat. Only then would I let him have the reins when they will only be used for communication, not balance. And plenty of lunge lessons & bareback.
Showpony- I hope you mean a flash on the saddle not the pony?
 
You could try daisy reins too, rather than attach to the bit, it attaches to the head peice so wont catch pony in the mouth but as others have said at such low level stuff it wont affect ponies shape over the fence.
My daughters first pony lived with his daisy rein on for the first 18 months of her having him, he liked his grass and if he got his head to the floor daughter couldnt get him back up, he did all PC stuff with them on and was fine.
 
Scanned over OP's original post, should have read properly, thought pony snatching bit which is why I suggested using flash ... but still don't agree with using grass reins - my 5 YO jumps & we have neckstrap & plenty of mane so she feels stable.... otherwise would suggest pony on lunge line so rider doesn't feel has if being " led"

littlelegs said:
I'd stick a neckstrap on. But ideally I'd have him on the lr, or at least not using the reins till he has an independent seat. Instead doing stuff like hands on head, hands on hips, knees etc & no stirrups till he has an independent seat. Only then would I let him have the reins when they will only be used for communication, not balance. And plenty of lunge lessons & bareback.
Showpony- I hope you mean a flash on the saddle not the pony?
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When we are teaching kids to jump,(little cross poles), we always tell them to either hold the neckstrap or the mane. God love poor Chara, (horse i learned to jump on - 27 yr old that had a neck strap just for me). You may need to be vocal with "Hold the neckstrap" a few times as they are coming into the jump, in order to get it going, but it should work!!!
 
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